INCIDENT: Gatehead AHB 23.01.09

A teenage pedestrian was struck and killed by a passenger train on an AHB crossing in Scotland.

It has been reported that Robert Milloy may have been distracted by listening to music on earphones linked to his mobile phone. He was struck on the Gatehead crossing by the 1140 GMT Girvan to Kilmarnock service and died instantly.

A Network Rail spokesman said there had been no previous serious incidents at the crossing prior and a preliminary investigation found it to be in working order. Robert's father, Rab Milloy, wants Network Rail to carry out a risk assessment on the crossing.

Kilmarnock Standard: http://bit.ly/lc_gatehead

Photo (c) Rosser1954 at wikipedia

INCIDENT: Brandon MCB 22.01.09

A pedestrian died after being struck by a passenger train on a manually controlled barrier crossing on the Norfolk/Sufflok border.

Bury Free Press: http://bit.ly/lc_brandon

Photo (c) Keith Evans on Geograph

PROSECUTION: Lower Cefn Farm 2008

A lorry driver whose vehicle collided with a train at a user-worked level crossing near Welshpool last year has avoided a custodial sentence.

Arthur Roberts pleaded guilty to a charge of endangering railway passengers by wilful omission or neglect when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court. In Spetmeber 2008, Roberts drove to Lower Cefn Farm over a UWC+T and failed to contact the signaller for permission to cross in either direction. On his return journey, the rear of his lorry was struck at 70mph by a Birmingham to Aberystwyth passenger service.

Roberts was given a four month custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work.

http://bit.ly/lc_buttington

INCIDENT: South Drove AHB, Lincolnshire 05.01.09

A woman died when her car crashed on a crossing in icy conditions and was then struck by a passenger train.

Moira Koune was driving over the South Drove AHB near Spalding, Lincolnshire, when her car was in collision with a Ford Transit van. Her car was stuck on the crossing when the barriers descended and was hit by the 0833 Peterborough to Lincoln passenger service. The van driver was able to steer clear of the crossing and was trying to reach Miss Koune's car when it was struck. No injuries were reported on the train, which did nor derail.

Photo (c) Richard Croft at geograph